What does it all mean?
GOALKEEPER
Steffan/Roberts
Roberts had a great season, set to battle it out with Zak Steffan for our Number 1 jersey? Less goals conceded than Lumley and we'll be off to a winner.
DEFENCE
McNair/Dijksteel
Lenihan/Fry
Sarr/
Branthwaite
McNair tipped to take the right side of midfield spot Lenihan coming in with the big licks.. but where does that leave Dael Fry? Who comes in to cover? We cant have an all eggs in one basket situation. Left sided defenders are in short supply in this squad, seemingly simple issue to rectify. But what of Dael Fry? Are we all being tricked here that McNair will stay on that left hand side? Will a move be on the cards? Naby Sarr seems like an easy fit, Jarrad Branthwaite's move looked inevitable soon has his foot smashed into Fry's face. Back up at Centre back? A youngster or an old hand?
MIDFIELD
Jones/Smith
Crooks/Tavernier
Howson/Payero
McGree/Boyd-Munce
Giles/Bola
Tommy Smith to shore up the right hand side, Robbie Brady on the left if Marc Bola isn't up for the fight. Seat of the pants stuff! Joseph Gibson waiting in the wings on the right and Bryant Bilongo on the left. Marc Bola would need to push our new man out of the Giles out of the frame, bringing assets at a rate of 1 in 4 a game.
Marcus Tavernier, the golden child, fully expect him to improve once again as he does season on season. If the prem big boys come in I can only see really see Callum O'Hare as a realistic replacement. Could Payero make the jump? The more experienced lads like Jeff Hendrick and Conor Hourihane might be looked at.. but I don't know, leaves us a bit flat imo. Elliot Anderson could be an option, but could he make the step up? How would the transfer pan out? Loan or Permanent?
Matrin Payero needs to be fighting or first teamers for his place, no small job to keep Johnny Howson out of the side and tasked with finishing with at least 5 goals and 3 assists.
STRIKERS
Archer/Gayle
Gyokeres/McGoldrick
The white whale of goal scoring strikers has eluded us for many a season now, Gyokeres is the name on everybody's lips, I think Josh Coburn will move out on loan to keep his career moving. Potentially a special talent, I'm reminded of Harry Kane's loan spells to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester. Duncan Watmore has been a revelation, the fire that continues burn in our soggy tab end of a strike force. Does he bridge the gap between Gayle and McGoldrick? Can he bring more to the table, or are we gonna cash in, be ruthless and potentially be left twiddling our thumbs? Is there anything in Dwight Gayle? Is he still coming up with the goods and the mustard? Cameron Archer seems like a good fit for us (if not Adam Armstrong)
So there we have it, everything works in theory.. just need to see who is staying who is going, who can deliver the goods, how we can bring in the numbers, who's up for it and the like. It looks very much like we're on the right track. Rockets up Payero and Bola? Question marks over the left hand side of our defence and some chin stroking to be done regarding the likes of Fry, Tavernier and Watmore.
Maybe I've missed a trick?
